We have not seen great things done in our time except by those who have been considered mean; the rest have failed.

When every province of the world so teems with inhabitants that they can neither subsist where they are nor remove themselves elsewhere.

No proceeding is better than that which you have concealed from the enemy until the time you have executed it. To know how to recognize an opportunity in war, and take it, benefits you more than anything else. Nature creates few men brave, industry and training makes many. Discipline in war counts more than fury.

The peasant wants only to be left alone to prosper in peace.

To know well the nature of the people one must be a prince, and to know well the nature of princes one must be of the people.

Men nearly always follow the tracks made by others and proceed in their affairs by imitation, even though they cannot entirely keep to the tracks of others or emulate the prowess of their models. So a prudent man should always follow in the footsteps of great men and imitate those who have been outstanding.

The innovator has for enemies all who have done well under the old, and lukewarm defenders in those who may do well under the new.